Vaughn Johnson

STAFF WRITER

WWE superstar Santino Marella (real name Anthony Carelli) announced his retirement from in-ring competition during a WWE live event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, according to multiplereports.

Marella, who is an Ontario native, said the he was hanging up his wrestling boots due to a number of issues with his neck. He recently opened up a wrestling and mixed martial arts school in Toronto.

Marella signed a developmental deal with the WWE in 2005. He debuted on WWE television in 2007 and won the WWE Intercontinental Championship in his first match by pulling off an upset over the late Umaga.

On top of winning the Intercontinental title on multiple occasions, he also won the United States Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship. However, Marella really shined was as a comedic character on television, which endeared him to fans.

However, Marella did announce that he will still be around the WWE in a non-wrestling capacity.